By Megon VenterMon. 14 Apr. 20253min Read

The 10 Best Redaction Software for Sensitive Documents

Our team has compiled a list of the 10 best redaction software to help you protect your sensitive information and keep files secure.
The 10 Best Redaction Software for Sensitive Documents

Are you looking for a secure way to edit sensitive information out of your business or personal documents? A dedicated PDF tool is the best way to go.

Browse our team's guide to redaction software to find the one that best suits your needs.

 

person
Megon Venter
B2B SaaS Content Writer
Megon is a B2B SaaS Content Writer with 7 years of experience in content strategy and execution. Her expertise lies in the creation of document management tutorials and product comparisons.

 

Comparative Table of Redaction Software

Find the best redaction software for your needs by using our comprehensive table below:

 

Software

Key Redaction Features

Platform

Pros

Cons

PDF Reader Pro

Advanced redaction, secure removal of sensitive content

Windows, macOS, iOS, Android

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • Once-off subscription option which allows access to advanced features beyond single use for redaction
  • Professional redaction result
  • Cost involved, but once-off subscription is available

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Full redaction (text, images, hidden data), OCR support

Windows, macOS

  • Bulk redaction is possible
  • Professional and secure redaction result
  • Expensive subscription simply for redaction
  • Complicated tool interface

PDF-XChange Editor

Redact text, images, annotations, OCR support

Windows

  • Very simple to use
  • Free redaction tool
  • Limited redaction capability in free version
  • Unattractive interface

Nitro PDF Pro

Secure redaction of text, images, hidden information

Windows, macOS

  • Affordable subscription tiers
  • High-quality redaction in white and black
  • Not worth the cost for solely using redaction tool

Foxit PDF Editor

Full redaction (text, images, metadata)

Windows, macOS, Linux, mobile

  • Affordable subscription tiers
  • Professional redaction result that is secure
  • Complex interface for new users
  • Expensive if users are only using redaction tool

Sejda PDF Editor

Redact text, images, annotations (basic)

Web-based, Windows, macOS

  • Simple to use interface
  • Web-based, so no download needed
  • Limited redaction in free version

Smallpdf

Basic redaction features

Web-based

  • Simple, browser-based, no installation needed
  • Limited features in free version

ComPDF Kit Web Demo

Redact text, images, metadata securely

Web-based

  • An example of how to use the tool is given
  • Can search and redact
  • Web tools are free and need no subscription
  • Bulk redaction is more tricky

iLovePDF

Basic redaction, text replacement, annotations

Web-based

  • Simple to use interface
  • Free redaction tool
  • No advanced redaction capabilities
  • Unattractive interface

PDF Studio

Redact text, images, metadata securely

Windows, macOS, Linux

  • One-time payment, allowing access to more features (if only downloading for redaction)
  • Dated user interface
  • Cost not necessarily worth associated features



1. PDF Reader Pro

PDF Reader Pro offers advanced redaction tools that allow users to redact text, images, and metadata securely. 

It ensures that sensitive information is fully removed from the document, and it supports both individual and bulk redactions.


Key Features:

  • Advanced redaction tools to securely remove sensitive content.

  • Easy to use with a user-friendly interface.

  • Cross-platform availability (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android).


Pricing

Standard Advanced Permanent
$79.99 / user per annum $99.99 / user per annum $119.99 (once off)


How to Use the Redaction Feature:

Step 1: Open Your PDF

Click “Open File” or drag into Home


 

Step 2: Click “Redact”

Select the text you want to hide and save.


 

Download a 7-day free trial of the latest version of PDF Reader Pro for Windows, Mac, iOS or Android here:

Get Started with PDF Reader Pro Today!

 

 2. Adobe Acrobat Pro DC

Adobe Acrobat Pro DC is a professional-grade PDF tool that provides powerful redaction capabilities, allowing users to permanently remove text, images, and hidden data such as metadata. 


Key Features:

  • Powerful redaction tools.

  • Option to permanently remove sensitive data.

Pricing

Individual Business
$28 / user per month $27.25 / user per month


3. PDF-XChange Editor

PDF-XChange Editor offers essential redaction features, such as the ability to redact text, images, and annotations from a document.


Key Features:

  • Redact text, images, and annotations.

  • Easy to use interface.


Pricing

1 Year Maintenance 3 Year Maintenance
$62 $81


4. Nitro PDF Pro

The software ensures that the redacted content is completely removed, making it unrecoverable.


 Key Features:

  • Securely redact sensitive content.

  • Easy to apply redactions and remove hidden information.

Pricing

Free Trial Standard Pro
$0 (until expiry) $20 / user per month $300 (once-off)


5. Foxit PDF Editor

Foxit PDF Editor supports advanced redaction tools like pattern-based search to find and redact sensitive terms across the document.


Key Features:

  • Full redaction capabilities for text, images, and hidden metadata.

  • Supports secure file sharing and collaboration.

Pricing

PDF Editor PDF Editor+
$13 / user per month $16 / user per month


6. Sejda PDF Editor

Sejda PDF Editor provides a simple yet effective redaction tool, allowing users to redact text, images, and annotations.


 Key Features:

  • Easy redaction tool for text and images.

  • Supports text replacement and annotation.

Pricing

Web Week Pass Web Monthly Desktop + Web
$8.50 monthly $10.50 monthly $74 per year


7. Smallpdf

Smallpdf offers a straightforward tool for basic redactions, including text and image removal. It’s a web-based solution.



Key Features:

  • User-friendly PDF redaction tools.

  • Web-based platform that is easy to access from any browser.

Pricing

Free Pro
$0 $13 / user per month


8. ComPDF Kit Online Tools

While ComPDF Kit has a desktop application designed for development use, it also includes online tools for redaction that are free to use.


 Key Features:

  • Redact text, images, and metadata securely.

  • No need to download a desktop tool.

Pricing

Online Tools Advanced Plan
Free $799 / annum


9. iLovePDF

iLovePDF is easy to use and web-based, but it doesn’t offer advanced features for professional redaction. It’s ideal for users who need quick, basic redactions.


 Key Features:

  • Basic redaction features.

  • Ability to redact text, add annotations, and edit PDFs.

Pricing

Basic Premium
Free $7 / user per month


10. PDF Studio

PDF Studio allows users to securely redact text, images, and metadata from a PDF file. It provides a simple yet effective redaction tool to ensure that sensitive information is removed.


 Key Features:

  • Redact text, images, and metadata securely.

  • Create, annotate, and edit PDFs with ease.

Pricing

Lifetime (1 User) Lifetime (2-24 Users)
$149 once-off $129 once-off



Check in to our blog every week for new blogs about the latest PDF software and editing tools for your personal and business documents.

    Get Started with PDF Reader Pro Today!